Make the world your own. Be a Cyclone. 

From your first step on campus, you will be surrounded by world-renowned professors, resume-building opportunities, and state-of-the-art facilities to help you accomplish your dreams.  

800 student clubs. More than 100 majors. 1 amazing experience.

With more than 16 percent of the student body made up of transfer students like you, your journey here won’t be traveled alone.

If you have completed at least 24 semester credits of transferable coursework* from another accredited college or university and you have earned a minimum 2.25 transfer GPA, you will be approved for admission (Note: Applicants who've earned an associate's degree may be admitted with at least a 2.00 transfer GPA).

Some academic programs may require a transfer GPA higher than the minimums listed above. In addition, higher academic standards may be required of students who are not residents of Iowa, including international students.

Applicants who have not maintained the minimum transfer GPA required by Iowa State for specific programs or who are under academic suspension from the last college attended will generally be denied admission.

Transfer applicants under disciplinary suspension will not be considered for admission until information concerning the reason for the suspension has been received from the college assigning the suspension.

If you have not completed at least 24 transferable semester credits (or 36 quarter credits)* prior to enrolling at Iowa State, you must:

  • Submit an official copy of your high school transcript and your ACT or SAT scores
  • Meet all first-year student admission requirements
  • Meet the minimum transfer GPA requirement listed above

*Note: Career technical, development/remedial, and military credits do not count toward the 24 transferable semester credits requirement.

English proficiency requirement

U.S. citizen and immigrant applicants who have not graduated from an approved U.S. high school and whose primary language is not English must meet the university’s English proficiency requirement.

English proficiency for students from Puerto Rico

Students who graduate from high school in Puerto Rico are automatically considered to have met Iowa State's English proficiency requirement, even if they indicate English is not their primary language.

English Proficiency Requirement

International transfer students

If you are an international student transferring from either a U.S. or foreign institution, you are required to apply as an international student.

International students

Military and veteran students

If you have served or are currently serving in the military, you will be required to submit the transfer application for admission as well as some additional information.

Military and veteran students

Second undergraduate degree applicants

If you have already earned a bachelor's degree from another college or university, you may apply as a transfer student for a second undergraduate degree at Iowa State University. If you earned your bachelor's at Iowa State, you should apply as a reentering student.

Reentering students

If you were previously enrolled as a degree-seeking undergraduate at Iowa State University and wish to return as an undergraduate after an absence of at least 12 months, you must apply as a reentering student.

Reentering students

Nondegree students

If you are planning to take university courses but do not currently intend to earn a degree at Iowa State University, you may apply as a nondegree student.

Nondegree students